Sasikala jail perk row: DG Rao to initiate civil, criminal proceedings against DIG Roopa

A day after a legal notice was served to former deputy inspector general of police (DIG) (Prisons) D. Roopa for defaming Director General (Prisons) G. Sathyanarayan Rao, the latter's lawyer on Thursday stated that they would initiate civil and criminal proceedings in this matter.

Speaking to ANI, Ramesh Putege said, "She (Roopa) has made several allegations, but none are true. Initially, my client wanted to ignore these allegations, but things went serious. The government in this matter wants to seek a report from another retired official. We will initiate both civil and criminal proceedings in this matter."

"Roopa is a senior police officer. She should know rules better. She can't act only on basis of legal power; proof is needed. I request her to be more vigilant if she makes allegations on senior officers again," he added.

A legal notice was served to Roopa yesterday. She has been given three days of time to reply an unconditional apology.

Roopa grabbed headlines when she, in a report, said that All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader V.K. Sasikala availed VIP treatment in the Parappana Agrahara Central prison by bribing jail officials.

The notice said that DIG Roopa tried to "damage the integrity and reputation of Sathyanarayan Rao," which according to law comes under defamation.

The notice also said that Rao will also be approaching the concerned Income Tax Department to find out the source from where the "alleged Rs. 2 crore were mobilised."

The notice further said that Roopa also alleged that Sasikala had set up a private kitchen, where special food could be made for her, but as she failed to take snaps of the place, it only shows that the place was "non-existent" although she (Roopa) claims that the evidence was erased.

The notice said that Roopa has tried to defame the "whole system" of this country, including the President of the nation.

The six page notice extensively talked about various issues concerning the case.

DIG Roopa has confirmed that she has received the notice.

Roopa, in a report to the Director General (Prisons), had said there are speculations that Sasikala paid bribe to prison officials to get special facilities for herself with rumours also of the DG being a beneficiary himself.

The report by the DIG (Prisons) had asserted that a bribe worth Rs. 2 crore was given to the prison officials by AIADMK chief VK Sasikala for, including the DG (Prisons), in order to avail special facilities in Parappana Agrahara central prison.

She was transferred to the traffic department as the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, after the statement.

Earlier on July 14, Roopa had also said she is being unnecessarily targetted and singled out for exposing irregularities at the Parappana Agrahara Central prison.

The DG (Prisons) categorically denied all the charges, where Roopa, maintained her stand, saying that she has no issue with an inquiry taking place into it.